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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Emotional dysregulation and trauma predicting psychopathy dimensions in female and male juvenile offenders

Authors: Kathrin Sevecke, Sebastian Franke, David Kosson, Maya Krischer

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Psychopathy is a specific syndrome that predicts future violent and aggressive behavior in adults. Studies in youth and adults have demonstrated a strong association between early traumatic incidents and later dissocial behavior. Moreover, the impact of personality pathology and emotional dysregulation on aggressive and violent behavior is well established. However, few studies have addressed the relationship between early traumatization and psychopathic traits in adolescents.

Method

The present study examined associations between both general dimensions of personality pathology and early traumatic experiences and the dimensions of psychopathy in 170 male and 171 female adolescent detainees.

Results

Analyses revealed associations between physical abuse, emotional dysregulation and psychopathic traits in delinquent boys but not in delinquent girls.

Conclusion

Hypothesized relationships between trauma, personality pathology could only be confirmed in the lifestyle and antisocial, but not in the core affective and interpersonal facets of psychopathy.
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Metadata
Title
Emotional dysregulation and trauma predicting psychopathy dimensions in female and male juvenile offenders
Authors
Kathrin Sevecke
Sebastian Franke
David Kosson
Maya Krischer
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-016-0130-7

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